I've gotten the green light to get a new vcard (thank heavens) & I'm wanting to know what cards are the good ones now? I've had a ati 3850 pci-e 512mb & so want to go back to nvidia..what would you say?

It will blow the 3850 out of the water and it's cheaper than $100 bucks. I could play GRID on a 22" monitor, high settings no problems. Not so with my old 3850. Recertified for $60 bucks. Good deal! http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130423 You really aren't going to get a "monster" card for $150. Perhaps try finding a 9800GTX for around that price, but I'll doubt you'll need that kind of power with a 19" monitor.

I had palit sonic version of 9600GSO 768 it overclocked much better than current Galaxy 9800GT and the fact that i use 19" (not for long I hope ) I could not see the difference (3dmark not included). So for the money it is good card. But I would wait little longer. 3850 to 9600gso don`t look to me like big upgrade.